Defence, lob and bandeja: positioning and contact

What this lesson covers

Defensive play relies on court positioning and the height of the contact point. Players on the right side should prioritize backhands to cover the corner and minimize open space. When defending low balls, keep the racket below the elbow. For high balls, prepare the racket above the elbow to allow for downward shots like the bajada or chiquita. If the ball is low, use the lob to reset the rally. If the ball is semi-low, the lob remains the preferred option over the chiquita.

Control the pace of the rally based on net proximity. If further from the net than the opponent, play slow shots to maintain control. Only accelerate when closer to the net. The bandeja requires a stable, overhead motion with the contact point slightly higher than the head, far to the side and in front of the body. Avoid hitting the ball too close to the body, as this causes the ball to bounce too high. Aim for the center of the court to slow the game down and force the opponent to move, which creates opportunities for the chiquita or a well-placed lob.